HI HB1277

Requires the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) to examine the feasibility of establishing a "pay forward, pay back" pilot program at the University of Hawaii as an alternative to traditional tuition charges.

If feasible, UHERO must develop a proposed pilot program allowing Hawaii resident students to enroll without paying tuition or fees while signing binding contracts to pay a percentage of their annual adjusted gross income for a specified number of years after graduation.

Proposed pilot program shall identify participating campus(es), specify the income percentage and contract duration for each campus, and calculate end costs based on total education costs, state funding, financial aid received, contract terms, and income percentage.

UHERO must submit findings, recommendations, proposed pilot program details, and any proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 regular session convenes.

Appropriates unspecified funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2015-2016 to cover UHERO's feasibility examination and pilot program development costs, effective July 1, 2015.